Thursday, September 20, 2012

Never Once

Genesis 7:1-5
"The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.” And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him."

God gave Noah detailed instructions and Noah followed them to the letter. It took Noah at least one hundred years to build the ark to Gods specifications. How many times did Noah have to explain to his family that God really did tell him to build a 450 foot long boat, even though there was no water in sight? What we sometimes forget is that it had never rained which makes Noah’s trust and obedience even more remarkable. What’s even more amazing is that Noah and his family plus all the animals were in the ark seven full days before God shut the door and it started to rain. And what is simply staggering is that after the rain stopped they remained on that boat for over a year before God allowed them to disembark. So how did Noah do it? How did he endure this floating zoo?

He believed God. God had promised Noah that he would establish his covenant with him and that he and his family would be safe.

He was given provisions. God told Noah exactly what to bring so that they’d have enough for the duration of the journey.

He waited patiently for the next command. God hadn’t let him down yet so he chose to trust that God would tell him what to do next.

When we find ourselves in a storm we must remember that the same God that made a covenant with Noah has made one with us through Jesus. We are safe in his keeping until the storm is over.

We too have been given provisions. His strength is endless. His peace is supernatural. His grace is limitless. His Word is our sustenance. His presence is our comfort. His hope is our joy.

While we wait we must remind ourselves of His faithfulness. I’m sure Noah relived those moments when animals of every shape and size began to show up at the ark. I can imagine him and his family discussing how God himself shut the door or when the water started to pour from the clouds and spring up from the earth. We too must recall Gods faithfulness and remind ourselves that never once has he failed us and that just as he has lead us in our yesterdays, he will lead us into our tomorrows.

Endure my sisters…there’s a rainbow coming.

Today’s Challenge ~ Listen to Matt Redman’s song called “Never Once” and remember God’s faithfulness.

Sue K.
Sue is the Women's Coordinator for the Western Ontario District of PAOC and she lives to make Jesus famous!

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